The Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC) condemns today's terrorist attack on Linwood Mosque and Al Noor Mosque in the city of Churchchrist, New Zealand, during Friday prayer, that has left at least 49 dead and dozens more injured. TASC expresses its deepest condolences to the victims and their families, and prays for the speedy recovery of those injured.
TASC stands with the good people of New Zealand and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who stated, "the extremist views that motivated the attackers have absolutely no place in New Zealand, and, in fact, have no place in the world. New Zealand represents diversity, kindness, compassion, a home for those who share our values." The Muslim community in New Zealand, numbering over 46,000, has been an integrated population for over 150 years.
The New Zealand Mosques massacre offers lessons to us in America, as we face increasing white nationalist violence across the land.
The October 27, 2018, Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue massacre by white nationalist Robert Gregory Bowers, was inspired by prior terrorist attacks of white nationalist terrorists, such as Norwegian Anders Behring Breivik, who single handedly massacred 77 people at a summer camp in Norway on July 22, 2011. At a subsequent bi-annual meeting of the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) Heritage Community Liaison Council, intelligence specialists informed Muslim American representatives that although in all respects the Norway massacre was an act of terrorism, politically the United States and American media had decided not to refer to it as such. See: (
TASC Condemnation of Tree of Life terror attack
).
Terror attacks are motivated by false information and hateful feelings. Political and community leaders, and the media must select their words and tone carefully. A July 16, 2018, article published by Fox News, insinuated that the Turkish Mosque in Lanham, Maryland, was a staging location for clandestine operations against Americans, caused a security concern, to which Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Attorney General Brian Frosh took swift action by providing law enforcement to protect the congregation of more than 5000 Muslims. See: (
Turkish American Community Center and Mosque of Lanham, Maryland, Letter to Fox News
).
We must work together to keep our Mosques, Synagogues, and Churches safe for worshippers and conducive to the work of good.
